Improvement in needle-cases



@uitrit tufts Atat-rat @fficev PERLEY D. CUMMINGS, P OR-TLAND, MAINE. Letters .Patent No. 72,271, dated December 17, 1867.-

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TO ALL WHOM Ifl MAY CONCERN:

Beit known that I, PERLEY D. CUMMIANGS, of Portland, in the county of Cumberland, and State of Maine, have-invented a new and useful Improved Needle-Cushion; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others to make and use my invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specication, 'in which- -Figure 1 is a section of my invention as it appears when open.

Figure 2 is a section of the same, showing its appearance when closed.

The needle-books, cases, and cushions now in use allhave numerous objectionable features. In needle- .i

books it is a work of much time to place the needles in the several leaves, and it is usually the case that a number have to be taken out and replaced before the-kind required can be found. In needle-cases the needles are easily put in and taken out, butVas/they are loose, it is diiicult to distinguish and separate the di'erent sizes, and they are liable to be dropped and lost. Cushions, again, besides being clumsy, are soon worn out, and on being out open, after having been in use for any length of time, are found to vcontain a greater or less number i of needles, which have worked through the cover into the material with which the cushion is iilledor studed.

The object of my invention is to furnish a needle-cushion, which will be at once convenient, durable, and compact, and which will allow the needles to be securely fastened in,and the di'ercnt' sizes easily and quickly selected and removed when needed. To obtain this result, I lhave united the compaetness of the needle-case with the convenience of the cushion, and at the same time have obviated the objections to which they are open. I will now proceed to describe more particularly the construction and operation of my invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings. l A

a is the outside case or cylinder; b, a rod, rigidly attached to the same at the bottom, aud extending to the top, having at e a small projection or shoulder; d is a tube, sliding over the rod b, and also having a shoulder at e, which, acting in connection with the shoulder e, prevents a. too great extension of 'these parts. This tube d also has a cover atf, -itting closely over the cylinder when the case -is shut, as seen in fig. 2. To the lower cud of the tube-d is attached a wooden casing, g, fitting tightly the outer cylinder and sliding in it. To this casing g is fastened the cushion proper, which is composed of rubber or some elastic material, and which tapers gradually from the wooden casing g, which forms its base, to the point of junction with the tubo d, att'. The cushion is shown at h.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The needles are to be placed in the cushion i at any desired angle. Upon the tube d being pushed down within the cylinder a, the elasticity of the rubber allowsit to yield, and to permit the needles, upon striking the upper edge of the cylinder a, to'a-ssume an upright position, thus bringing metal against metal, und reducing the friction.4 When the cylinder is closed, the needles are perpendicular, as shown in fig. 2, but upon again drawing out the tube el they will spring out to their former positions,

making an angle with thc tube. When thus placed, it will be seen that cach needle may be distinctly seen, and A by turning the case in the hand each may be brought to view in turn, and its size readily discerned. Each particular needle will present itself in such away that it can bc readily grasped by the thumb and finger, and drawn from the cushion, while at the same time the danger of its becoming accidentally loosenedis much diminished, from its being held quite rmly where the point is inserted into the rubber or other elastic substance. By removing the sharp edge of the cylinder a, and-making it somewhat bell-muzalcd, it will be capable of receiving pins as well as needles.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of the cylinder n, rod b, tube d, and cushion t, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

PERLEY D. CUMMENGS.

Witnesses: v

W. H. CLIFFORD,

HENRY C. HOUSTON. 

